This is always a fun topic. Getting your students to listen and apply their corrections :)

Don't you just love it when you see a student do something wrong and you excitedly give them the correction only to be told "I didn't do that" Oh really, then what am I doing here?

I feel like saying, oh ok, I am just imagining things or giving you a hard time for fun! Boy does that one bring me to a boil! How about the look of disgust, or the one of hurt, anger and so on. There is also the one who looks at you, says ok, and can never seem to get it right. Who said teaching dance was going to be easy?

Let's face it, in today’s fast-paced, over stimulated world of technology, getting through to our students has certainly become more challenging.

One key that I have found is that some students are visual learners, some are auditory and some tactile. In my opinion, the best way is to work in all three phases.

The first thing we need to do is to get the students to listen to our words and absorb them like a sponge. I will show them what they are doing wrong and then how to correct it. I get them to first see it in the mirror concentrating on it more visually, then to feel the difference in their bodies by putting them in the Incorrect position followed by the correct position. Let's say, for example, you are working on pirouettes and someone is dropping their elbows when they turn. Without turning have the student put their foot in pass and their arms in first position. Have them hold the right position, then the wrong one, then back to the right one. Have them really focus on what they are feeling in their bodies.I  have found that by breaking it down this way it is most effective. Some students learn better by watching, some by feel and others just by listening. Since we have different kinds of learners in class, this way we will use all three methods to help them apply the correction best. There are lots of methods that I have tried through the years to really get the students to apply and use all of the corrections that they are given. The one I like to focus on and that seems to get the best results is what I like to call, "The Gift From Your Teacher!"

I say to the students that when you receive a correction it is a special gift just for you. You wouldn't be upset or mad and you certainly would not throw away a gift you get from someone would you? I like to have them hold their hands out like they are getting a present when I give a correction and have them pull it to their heart when I am done giving the correction, so that they take ownership of it. It makes it fun for them to get the correction and we like to have them say "THANK YOU!" out loud for everyone to hear, after getting one so that it becomes a big plus and not a minus when they are singled out for this special attention. For the more intermediate, advanced students I have them bring a note book to class and write down all corrections after class. This way when they have some time they can read what they need to do and see how they can make the correcttions.

Look, I know that things have changed dramatically over the last few years. Attention span is shorter, the students seem to be easily distracted and offended. However, as a teacher I believe it is our responsibility to connect with our students, not the other way around. Change is in the air all the time and we either adapt and adjust or get left in the dust.

The good news is we have the power to find the solution to best connect with our students. Try not to let one incident or troubled student jade your view of all of your students.

Here’s to your success!

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